Happy Birthday to my boy!

Happy 8th birthday to my boy...eight years ago, on June 19th you came into my life and changed it forever! An easy baby, a challenging toddler, and now growing into a sweet, young man - you make my life wonderful! I cannot wait to see what another eight years will bring! Happy birthday B, I love you!

On the road...

I've been on the road today! Up at 6:30am, out the door around 7:30am and off to Cleveland,TN. with a truck load of 'stuff' to begin staging a house that is on the market! Now, it is 5:45pm - I just walked in the door and I'm waiting for my family to get home - they've been swimming!!! Summer is really crazy for us schedule wise....for me it is a time to pick up a little more work since my husband(who teaches HS math and coaches basketball) is home more! The trade off is that I am home more with the kids once school begins bc his schedule gets crazy once basketball starts full time...either way, I am very blessed to have such a flexible "job"! There was a day when I worked full time in the design industry - for someone else! Working five days a week...not getting home until 6:15 at night - and I really enjoyed it, I was passionate about it... but since having kids, well, they really have become my focus! Daily I am reminded of the precious gifts (Braxton and Olivia) God has entrusted to me...that is my purpose, that's my number one ministry - my family! So that is where I am content, that is where I am my happiest...and I am thankful for the design jobs that allow me to do that! Anyway, HAPPY WEDNESDAY!

Where does the time go?

It is June 14th...I'm not sure how I missed the last two weeks, but I did....in a flash - gone! Our summer has been very busy so far...I am hoping to slow down after this week! Here are a few things on the "to do" list:

• plan a birthday celebration for my oldest - he's turning 8!
• going to the beach at the end of the month
• finish minor renovation in my master bathroom - new flooring and paint!
• CLEAN OUT THE GARAGE!!!!

In the meantime, here are some random images from my computer! Happy Monday!

Studio Calico Scrap Kit

Sisal or Jute - love them both!

Amanda Talley art

Noir table in a black, hand waxed finish - I want to do this to my kitchen table!

Finished concrete floors and slipcovers - simple and clean!

Trying to catch up!

Happy Tuesday! I've been absent, but for good reason! Last week found me in D.C. working on a design project - then back to my family to finish up the last week of school...so I've been busy!

My trip to D.C. was great....my sisternlaw, Melissa, and I made a trip to the Luckett's Antique Fair - which was amazing! She found several pieces for her new house at a steal...and it was probably good I flew up bc I found LOTS of things that I wanted to bring home - but couldn't! It definitely made me want to drive up with a van for the next one!!! One of my very favorite vendors was Chartreuse & Company...they had so many wonderful things....

(photos via Chartreuse & co.)

Wish I had taken photos...but it was raining all day - we looked pretty fun as we both had worn sandals and were covered in mud!!! If you are in the area...you must go check it out...you can go to their website here...

Off to D.C.

This last week has been a bit crazy!!! End of school, fieldtrips, programs, signs for VBS, etc.....have kept me busy - add to that, a little girl recovering from strep throat! So I am looking forward to a slower pace come next week - but for now - I am off to D.C. in the morning! Flying out at 7:00am to go do some design work!!! I am excited about the trip and the new design project and I am looking forward to seeing both my sisternlaws :) but I will miss my family...say a little prayer for all of us! See you next week! Have a great weekend!

P.S. Thanks for lunch today dad, Olivia and I will take a visit from you anytime! Love you!

This face...

This face...everyone says she is my "mini-me"...I will have to agree! She is feeling sickly this afternoon so please say a prayer that she will get rest and feel better soon! Hope you all enjoy the beautiful weather (at least here in East TN)

A prayer for Ashley!

The non-profit group that I work with, Kingdom Design Ministries, has done some wonderful rooms over the last few years! More than that, they have changed the lives of these children in tremendous ways! I just wanted to post a link about one of the young ladies who received a room a few years back...her name is Ashley Manes! A couple of months ago my friend Missy, who founded KDM, emailed me that Ashley's TNcare funds were being cut - meaning her father would have to pay for her medical care "out of pocket"! This is a young lady who NEEDS $20,000 in medical care...they depend on TNcare for those funds! Please view this video link and say a prayer that her case would be approved and her medical coverage reinstated! http://www.wsmv.com/video/23325640/

Beautiful Friday!

It is 8:06am and I am waiting for my youngest to wake up - yeah, that's strange...but we had a late baseball game last night!!! So I thought I would take the opportunity to post a few beautiful images for Friday!

Happy Friday!

(images Elle Decor, Design Sponge...)

The Next Five Minutes

Rain, rain go away!

Well it is a dreary Monday indeed...my husband and I woke up to a leak in our bedroom around 3a.m. (we've been waiting 7 weeks for a new roof). After my husband crawled into the attic to see if he could contain it...I got on my knees and prayed "God you are the only one who can stop this leak or stop this rain". Well the rain did not stop, but the leak did - and David had no explanation as to why...God is good! It is a reminder that he cares for us on a very practical level and we can place our trust in him! I couldn't go back to sleep...I kept thinking about all those people in Tennessee who have been affected by the massive amounts of rain over the weekend - some even loosing their lives! So I am sending up prayers for all of those people today and thanking God that he is covering our house with his hand until the rain goes away!!!

Wonderful words...

Please go over here for inspiration today!!!! Her wonderful words are always inspiring and remind me that I always have little eyes watching me...today's post is especially touching because I too have a four year old asking those pivotal questions...thank you Ann for sharing! (photo Flickr/Angel of Light)

Happy Anniversary to me...

Thirteen years ago today I married my college sweetheart...Happy Anniversary David! I cannot wait to see where the next thirteen years takes us!

People of Haiti...

Please go over to Tiny Twig...she has a little giveaway for a very worthy cause - the people of Haiti!

Lovely things...

Happy Wednesday to all! Here are some lovely things that inspire me....

this white subway tile on the back splash

the graphic artwork

this sweet little dress

white upholstery and the slip covered ottoman...

(photos Design Sponge, Canadian HH, All the Numbers/Etsy, unknown)

A shout out to Nashville...

I just sat down yesterday to browse through the Country Living from April....and this is what I found...

A home out of Nashville featuring Kayce Hughes and her family! Love her home, love her style...

immediately had to google her...that's when I found this....

Her clothing line called Pears and Bears...she carries Women, Children, and Accessories! The above are some of my favorites! Go check them out and Happy Friday!